Simon van der Stel Foundation

The Simon van der Stel foundation (today known as the Heritage Association of South Africa) was the first heritage association in South Africa.[1] Founded in 8th of April 1959 [2] by Dr Willem H.J Punt,[3] with branches all over the country, this National Body endeavored to protect buildings with historical significance in South Africa.[4]

Purpose

The Simon van der Stel foundation launched initiatives intended to prompt the protection, conservation and restoration of buildings with historical, architectural and cultural value. The foundation offered advice about restoration and make efforts to assist the public in becoming aware of their cultural heritage.[5] This non-profit company adopted the name Simon van der Stel because a particular type of architecture (Cape-Dutch) was under threat from development.[6]

Blue Plaques

Blue Plaques are part of an international movement to create links between people and buildings.[7] Heritage Associations assist individuals and communities to erect a Blue plaque and identify, recognise and commemorate the person or place.[8] Herbert Prins brought the Blue Plaques concept to South Africa, and did not "patent, copyright or brand" this Blue Plaque initiative [9]

Restored buildings

  • Coornhoop was bought in 1961 by the Simon van der Stel Foundation and restored in 1964.
  • Boekenhoutfontein was restored by the Simon van der Stel Foundation in 1971 [10]

References

  1. ^ "About us". Heritage SA. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  2. ^ "Cape Town Heritage Foundation | Cape Town". Retrieved 2025-10-15.
  3. ^ "Dr Willem Henri Jacobus Punt: South African Heritage Pioneer (26/04/1900 - 22/05/1981)". www.theheritageportal.co.za. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  4. ^ "Q&A with the Cape Town Heritage Foundation". www.theheritageportal.co.za. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  5. ^ Pretorius, Ian; Jones, Andrew. "Q&A with the Cape Town Heritage Foundation".
  6. ^ Hanekom, Wouter (January 2013). "The Simon van der Stel Festival: Constructing heritage and the politics of pageantry". Historia. 58 (2): 19–39. ISSN 0018-229X.
  7. ^ "Blue plaques". English Heritage. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
  8. ^ https://magaliesbergbiosphere.org.za/magaliesberg-blue-plaque-series/
  9. ^ Kramer, Pat; Malan, Antonia (June 2023). "Blue Plaques" (PDF). Vernacular Architecture Society of South Africa. Vlaeberg: The Vernacular Architecture Society. p. 5. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  10. ^ "The Kruger Houses at Boekenhoutfontein". www.theheritageportal.co.za. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
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